Caring for Myself by Getting Stronger

So let’s just say I didn’t do to sporty on my own test. The questions I asked HERE about what parts of us need tending to and caring for hit a little close to home in my own heart. And in the figuring out of things, I’ve connected a few dots that just might make sense to your heart too.

When a gal is tired whether physically or on the inside, she can start to feel weak and frail. Once that happens she can start to wonder why it is that she isn’t managing life with more strength and vigor and get mad at herself for being such a wimp. “What is my problem?” she asks herself and sadly herself doesn’t have any good answers. So she sets about gaining strength.

I’m wondering if this could be the way…..Connect the dots with me….

I read THIS POSTover at Chatting at the Sky about becoming a Soul Minimalist. Here is the thought that struck me:

In the midst of this highly stimulated exterior world, I make a discovery about my interior world – the input is automatic. Where is the output? How am I regularly getting rid of the soul clutter I no longer need?

Got a stack of new books today. Thought I would just read the prelude. Ended up fast and furious with my highlighter and tears down my cheeks. Just what I needed to hear. Thanks for the recommendation @thenester. #shesbecoming

Just a little while later Breathing Room by Leeana Tankersley showed up in my mailbox. Right in the Prelude, Tankersley explains the feelings and mechanics associated with holding our breath. Then she goes on to say this:

Research shows we hit our critical line, not necessarily because our body needs oxygen, but because our body needs to release CO2. When we hold our breath, our body tells us it’s time to exhale. Only then can we take in the air we need. “As it turns out,” a breathing researcher writes, “the opposite of holding your breath isn’t inhaling, it’s letting go.”

I often think of strength as being able to carry heavier and heavier loads. What if, instead, strength came as we laid down more and more? Could we acknowledge our weakness, exhale and let go of all the burdens we try to shoulder and let Jesus be our strength? I’m becoming more and more convinced that the stronger my faith becomes, the more I will be able to release.

Our spirits were not designed to carry the weight of the world. We will max out and collapse. Let’s pay attention to the signs and heed the warnings. Let’s ignore the lies and believe the truth of His word. Let’s intentionally carve out time for output, setting down and letting go.

Matthew 11:28 – “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Cometome. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Psalm 33:16-17 – No king succeeds with a big army alone, no warrior wins by brute strength. Horsepower is not the answer; no one gets by on muscle alone.

Psalm 63:2 – So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last!

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 – Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

What are your thoughts? How can you care for yourself in this way practically speaking?